Attorney General’s Office Closes Books on Foundation

The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office has closed its books on how the York County Culture and Heritage Foundation handled its finances, and will take no immediate action. Rock Hill businessman Gary Williams, a foundation member, called the news ” fantastic.”

Williams says it’s unforturnate that the body had to defend itself against false accusations. Williams says it’s time to move ahead.

Williams says it’s time for the foundation to get back to raising funds for its museum properties.

State Representative Ralph Norman, one of those who requested the state review, says he still needs to read the letter from the AG’s office to the foundation’s attorney.

Williams is seeking to knock off York County Council Chairman Britt Blackwell in the November election. Blackwell says it still appears to a lot of people that the foundation wasted money.

Blackwell reacts to those who say the council mishandled the foundation’s books by originally insisting on an audit.

The state had been asked by a handful of critics of the foundation to look into issues of concern after a development that was planned for 400 acres of land donated to the foundation failed and left it owing $3.8 million dollars. More than $1 million dollars of that debt still needs to be repaid. The secretary of state’s office had launched its own inquiry before asking the attorney general’s office to investigate.